Passages similar to: Egyptian Book of the Dead — Chapter XV
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Ancient Egyptian
Egyptian Book of the Dead
Chapter XV (60.)
Of the last hymn there are no copies of ancient date, but the other three compositions are found more or less perfect as far back as the XIXth dynasty. The discrepancies, however, between the ancient texts furnish so much evidence of free composition on the part of the scribes, that it is impossible to suppose that they had before them documents recognised as sacred and canonical. M. Naville has found it necessary to publish four different forms of the hymn to the rising, and three of the hymn to the setting sun. The ideas and expressions throughout these hymns are current in the religious texts of the XVIIIth and XIXth dynasties
Where in your measured verse I will declare aloud (the praises), not in unmeasured lines, Gâmâspa Hvôgva! but songs of homage (will I weave) with...
(17) Where in your measured verse I will declare aloud (the praises), not in unmeasured lines, Gâmâspa Hvôgva! but songs of homage (will I weave) with ever gained Obedience in offering. (And unto Mazda) will I chant them, yea, to Him who will discern aright what things are lawful (or) unlawful (which I thus do, or utter), and with His wonder-working thoughts of Righteousness (attend).
More of the mount by us was now encompassed, And far more spent the circuit of the sun, Than had the mind preoccupied imagined, When he, who ever...
(4) More of the mount by us was now encompassed, And far more spent the circuit of the sun, Than had the mind preoccupied imagined, When he, who ever watchful in advance Was going on, began: "Lift up thy head, 'Tis no more time to go thus meditating. Lo there an Angel who is making haste To come towards us; lo, returning is From service of the day the sixth handmaiden. With reverence thine acts and looks adorn, So that he may delight to speed us upward; Think that this day will never dawn again." I was familiar with his admonition Ever to lose no time; so on this theme He could not unto me speak covertly. Towards us came the being beautiful Vested in white, and in his countenance Such as appears the tremulous morning star. His arms he opened, and opened then his wings; "Come," said he, "near at hand here are the steps, And easy from henceforth is the ascent." At this announcement few are they who come! O human creatures, born to soar aloft, Why fall ye thus before a little wind?
Texts Of Miscellaneous Contents, Utterances 578-586 (586)
J�quier, VIII 14). To say: N. shines like R`, expelling the dawn, establishing Truth behind R`, 1582b (Nt. VIII 14). shining every day for all of thos...
(586) 1582a (Nt. J�quier, VIII 14). To say: N. shines like R`, expelling the dawn, establishing Truth behind R`, 1582b (Nt. VIII 14). shining every day for all of those who are on the horizon of the sky. 1583a (Nt. VIII 15). The upper gates of heaven (?) are open. 1583b (Nt. VIII 15). To say: Great is Atum; the son of a great one is Atum; N. is the d-star in the sky among the gods. 1584a (Nt. VIII 16). Thy mother says to thee that S, like N., weeps for thee; 1584b (Nt. VIII 16). like N. he mourns for thee. 1585a (Nt. VIII 16). To say --- wash, give thou (thine) arm to N. while thou causest her to come. 1585b (Nt. VIII 16). Ho! His-back-behind-him, bring the [d-tp]ladder to N., 1586 (Nt. VIII 17). made by Khnum, that N. may ascend to heaven upon it, to do service of a courtier to R` in heaven. 39. AN EARLY HYMN TO THE SUN,
When the Septentrion of the highest heaven (Which never either setting knew or rising, Nor veil of other cloud than that of sin, And which made every...
(1) When the Septentrion of the highest heaven (Which never either setting knew or rising, Nor veil of other cloud than that of sin, And which made every one therein aware Of his own duty, as the lower makes Whoever turns the helm to come to port) Motionless halted, the veracious people, That came at first between it and the Griffin, Turned themselves to the car, as to their peace. And one of them, as if by Heaven commissioned, Singing, "Veni, sponsa, de Libano" Shouted three times, and all the others after. Even as the Blessed at the final summons Shall rise up quickened each one from his cavern, Uplifting light the reinvested flesh, So upon that celestial chariot A hundred rose 'ad vocem tanti senis,' Ministers and messengers of life eternal. They all were saying, "Benedictus qui venis," And, scattering flowers above and round about, "Manibus o date lilia plenis." Ere now have I beheld, as day began, The eastern hemisphere all tinged with rose, And the other heaven with fair serene adorned;
"..." [The following twenty-two lines are taken from K. 3,449a, and probably form part of the Fifth Tablet.] (66 ). (67) (68 ) From (69) In E-sagil (7...
(26) " me. "..." [The following twenty-two lines are taken from K. 3,449a, and probably form part of the Fifth Tablet.] (66 ). (67) (68 ) From (69) In E-sagil (70) To establish (71) The station of (72) The great gods (73) The gods (74) He took and (75) The gods [his fathers] beheld the net which he had made, (76) They beheld the bow and how [its work] was accomplished. (77) They praised the work which he had done (78) Then Anu raised [the ...] in the assembly of the gods. (79) H e kissed the bow, (saying), "It is !" (80) And thus he named the names of the bow, (saying), (81) "'Long-wood' shall be one name, and the second name [shall be ...] (82) "And its third name shall be the Bow-star, in heaven [shall it ...]" (83) Then he fixed a station for it (84) Now after the fate of (85) [He set] a throne (86) in heaven (87) ... [The following traces of the last thirteen lines of the Fifth Tablet are taken from the reverse of K. 11,641 and from the reverse of K. 8,526.] (128) " him " (129) " them " (130) " him " (131) " them " (132) " their may " (133) the gods spake, (134) the heavens : 1 (135) "[... your] son " (136) " our hath he " (137) " he hath caused to live " (138) " splendour " (139) " not !" (140) " we !"
Chapter VI: The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture. (9)
Now the Lord, having come alone into the intellectual world, enters by His sufferings, introduced into the knowledge of the Ineffable, ascending...
(9) Now the Lord, having come alone into the intellectual world, enters by His sufferings, introduced into the knowledge of the Ineffable, ascending above every name which is known by sound. The lamp, too, was placed to the south of the altar of incense; and by it were shown the motions of the seven planets, that perform their revolutions towards the south. For three branches rose on either side of the tamp, and lights on them; since also the sun, like the lamp, set in the midst of all the planets, dispenses with a kind of divine music the light to those above and to those below.
In the same manner as our trees (when downward Falls the great light, with that together mingled Which after the celestial Lasca shines) Begin to swel...
(3) And turning to the pole which he had dragged, He drew it close beneath the widowed bough, And what was of it unto it left bound. In the same manner as our trees (when downward Falls the great light, with that together mingled Which after the celestial Lasca shines) Begin to swell, and then renew themselves, Each one with its own colour, ere the Sun Harness his steeds beneath another star: Less than of rose and more than violet A hue disclosing, was renewed the tree That had erewhile its boughs so desolate. I never heard, nor here below is sung, The hymn which afterward that people sang, Nor did I bear the melody throughout. Had I the power to paint how fell asleep Those eyes compassionless, of Syrinx hearing, Those eyes to which more watching cost so dear, Even as a painter who from model paints I would portray how I was lulled asleep; He may, who well can picture drowsihood. Therefore I pass to what time I awoke, And say a splendour rent from me the veil Of slumber, and a calling: "Rise, what dost thou?"
Texts Of Miscellaneous Contents, Utterances 660-669 (667)
J�quier, XXX 766). O N., take to thee thy head, 1934 + 2 (Nt. 766). to thee thy teeth, to thee thy hair; 1934 + 3 (Nt. 766). thou has opened the neigh...
(667) 1934 + 1 (Nt. J�quier, XXX 766). O N., take to thee thy head, 1934 + 2 (Nt. 766). to thee thy teeth, to thee thy hair; 1934 + 3 (Nt. 766). thou has opened the neighbouring doors of the people, enduring for ever and ever. 1935-1 (Nt. 766). O N., thou goest forth, thy face towards the sea; 1935-2 (Nt. 766). thou sittest chief of the great ones, with thee; 1935 (Nt. 767). thou hast preserved the sky, thou hast caused the earth to tremble, thou hast protected the imperishable stars. 1936a (N. IX 730). I am come to thee (in) secret places, seeking thee (even) to heaven, 11936b (Nt. 768). but (in) the secret (place) there is no spirit there, 1936b + 1 (Nt. 768). from the peace of heaven to, the peace of earth, 1936b + 2 (Nt. 768). the peace of the two lords (Horus and Set), the peace of high (heaven), the peace of peace. 11936b + 3 (Nt. 768). The mowing of corn (is) for thy wg-feast, 11936b + 4 (Nt. 768). the nri-corn (?) for thy years (livelihood, cf. 1950b); thy white bread, Anubis, for (thy) flat-cakes, and this its dough, 1936b + 5 (Nt. 768-769). thy drink, First of the Westerners, thy warm bread, 1937 (Nt. 769). N., (are) before the gods. 1938a (Nt. 769). O N., raise thyself up, 1938b (Nt. 769). raise thyself from thy left side, put thyself (lit. sit) on thy right side, 1938b + 1 (Nt. 769). sit thou on the seats of R`. 1939-1 (Nt. 769). Purify thy back, even to the vertebrae; let thy hand be upon thine altar, 1939-2 (Nt. 770). thy thousand of bread, thy thousand of beer, thy thousand of cattle, thy thousand of birds, 1939-3 (Nt. 770). thy thousand of all (kinds) of linen, thy thousand of every thing, which the god eats, 1939-4 (Nt. 770). thy thousand of clean (things), also within the dwelling, 1939 (Nt. 771). that thou mayest eat the leg (of meat), that thou mayest pass the cutlet (over thy mouth), that thou mayest devour the double rib, 1939+ 1 (Nt. 771). at the place of slaughter for ever and ever. 1940 (Nt. 771). O N., they defend thy name, with thee. 1940+ 1 (Nt. 771). Thou shalt not speak to them, crying out, 1940+ 2 (Nt. XXX 771). what, say they, is done to thee, 1940+3 (Nt. 772). by "the throne" it was done, sayest thou, 1940+4 (Nt. 772). ss, his grave, ruling his brick, sayest thou. 1940+ 5 (Nt. 772). An offering of his cake (?) in the castle (?). 1940+ 6 (Nt. 772). Hail, he himself (i.e. she herself, the queen)! 1941a (Nt. 772). O N., eat this for thyself alone; 1941b (Nt. 773). thou shalt not give (it) to those people; these by thy side. 1946 + 1 (Nt. 773). O N., this hour of the morning, of this third day, is come, 1941b + 2 (Nt. 773). when thou surely passest on to heaven, together with the stars, the imperishable stars. 1941b + 3 (Nt. 774). O N., be it said to thee: "in peace; 1942a (Nt. 774), thou art beautiful; great is that which thy position does for thee as First of the Westerners." 1942b (Nt. 774). The seated one is put near the king. 1942b + 1 (Nt. 774-775). Thou choosest among (?) the first of thy land those who will make thy halls. Utterance 667 A. 1943a-1 (Nt. 775). To say: It is beautiful to see, it is peaceful to hear that Osiris stands at the door of the gods. 1943a-2 (Nt. 775). Thy sanctuary, N., 1943a-3 (Nt. 775). is to thee as (?) a heart of secret places; 1943a (Nt. 775-776). it opens for thee the double doors of heaven, it opens for thee the double doors of the way; 1943b (Nt. 776). it makes for thee a way, that thou mayest enter there among the gods, 1943b + 1 (Nt. 776). that thou mayest live as thy soul. 1944a (Nt. 776). O N., thou art not like the dead, who art dead, 1944a + 1 (Nt. 776-777). thou art living, thou art alive, together with them, the spirits, the imperishable stars. 1944 + 2 (Nt. 777). The time of inundation comes, the wg-festival comes, to the uplands, it comes as Osiris. 1944a + 3 (Nt. 777). Horus is purified with the eye of his brother Set; 1944a + 4 (Nt. 777-778). Set is purified with the eye of his brother Horus; 1945b (Nt. 778). N. is purified from every evil thing; 1945c (N. X 736). the Watchers of Horus are purified in his reed-float. 1945c + 1 (Nt. XVII 487). Father Osiris dawned over the sea, upon his throne, named "brilliant" for him, like his spirit; 1946a-1 (Nt. XXX 779). he was warned against Hr.ti lest he be not given to Osiris, (so) 1946a-2 (Nt. 779). there was opened for him the opposing door; 1946a-3 (Nt. 779). there was done for him that which was done (for him) as an only (unique) star without its equal 1946a (Nt. 779). among them, the gods, thou who sittest upon thy great seat. 1946b (N. X 737). Thy bread is t-wr (bread); thy bread is in the broadhall (temple hall). 1947a (N. X 737). The Watchers dance for thee, 1947b (Nt. XXX 780). as the mourning-women of Osiris call for thee. 1947b + 1 (Nt. 780). Raise thyself up, N.; 11947b + 2 (Nt. XVII 489). collect to thee thy bones; 1947b + 3 (Nt. XXX 781). take to thee thy head--a command of the Ennead, 1947b + 4 (Nt. XVII 490). sit thou for thy great bread; 1947b + 5 (Nt. XXX 781). choose thou the leg of meat on the great place of slaughter; 1947b + 6 (N. X 738). let there be given to thee the double-rib piece on the place of slaughter of Osiris. 1948a (Nt. XVII 490). O N., raise thyself up like Min. 1948b (N. X 738). Thou fliest up to heaven; thou livest with them; 1948c (N. X 738). thou causest thy wings to grow; 1948c + 1 (Nt. XVII 491). thy feathers on thy head; thy feathers on thy two arms. 1948c + 2 (Nt. XXX 782). Thou hast made the sky clear; thou givest light to them, like a god; 1948c + 3 (Nt. XVII 491). thou remainest chief of heaven like Horus of the D.t. Utterance 667 B. 1948c + 4 (Nt. XVII 491-492). Vigilant (?) is this eye of Horus, which he gave to Osiris; 1948c + 5 (Nt. 492). he gave (it) to thee, that it may destroy thy face. 1948c + 6 (Nt. 492) -------------- smell 1948c + 7 (Nt. 492). this word of Horus is, for it, says Geb. Utterance 667 C. 1949-1 (Nt. XXX 783). To say: I am N. of secret places; 1949 (Nt. 783). I ascend (as) thy good messenger from b.w; 1950a (N. X 739). I have threshed the barley, I have reaped the spelt, 1950b (N. 739). that thy livelihood may be secured thereby. 1950c (Nt. 783). Thou ascendest; thou art complete, N. 1950c + 1 (Nt. 784). Thou art powerful in ----1950c + 2 (Nt. 784). I did not see thee, (it is) thou who seest me. 1951-1 (Nt. 784). This Great One has seen the face of that Great Onethe seeing of two eyes. 1951-2 (Nt. 784). 'Iw who binds hair is his avenger; 1951a (Nt. 785). he stands, like Horus, who is on the shores, 1951b (N. X 740). his two sisters, at his side--Isis and Nephthys. 1952 (Nt. XXX 785). Raise thyself up, N., 1952 + 1 (Nt. 785). unite thy bones, collect thy limbs. 1952 + 2 (Nt. 785-786). Raise thyself up, N., 1952 + 3 (Nt. 786). receive thy head --1952 +4 (Nt. 786) ------- thy face ------- born of Nwn.t, 1952 + 5 (Nt. 786). thy mother, who makes thee glad. 1952 + 6 (Nt. 786). She cleanses thee like a papyrus roll of the flesh (skin?) of Mrw. 1953a (N. X MI). Shu, Shu, he passes by the walls, 1953b (N. 741). he outdistances the walls, 1953c (Nt. 787). N. is enclosed in secret places. 1954. --------------------------------------------1955a-1 (Nt. 787). when she does not pass you by, (when) she does not outdistance you. 1955a-2 (N. 742) -----------------1955a-3 (N. 742) ----------- mw.t 1955a (N. 742). four ---------1955b (N. 742). they pass by the walls; they outdistance the walls; 1955c (N. 742). thou, N., art enclosed in secret places. 1956 (N. 742) --------------------------------------1956 + 1 (N. 742) -----------------------------------1956 + 2 (N. 742) ------------- nn.wt 1957a (N. 742). thy thousand of -------- of stone vessels, 1957b (N. 743). thy thousand of all (kinds) of linen, 1957c (N. 743). thy thousand of cattle, thy thousand of birds, thy thousand of all sweet things, 1958a (N. 743). that thou mayest carry thyself in a festive manner as a god ---- 1958b (N. 744) ---------------- by thee, w ------------1958b + 1 (N. 744) --------------------- to Pdw-s.
Texts Of Miscellaneous Contents, Utterances 691-704 (699)
2178 ---------------------------------------- 2178 ------- Anubis, he lays hold of thine arm; Nut, she gives to thee thy heart. 2179 Thou fleest...
(699) 2178 ---------------------------------------- 2178 ------- Anubis, he lays hold of thine arm; Nut, she gives to thee thy heart. 2179 Thou fleest cloudlike as a falcon; thou drawest thyself out of the water like a nwr-bird; 2179 thou goest towards the west ---------------- 2180 --------------------------------------- 2180 ------ [thou livest], thou livest; thou art young, thou art young; 2180 to the side of thy father, to the side of , to heaven. 2181 Thou livest ---------------------------------- 2181 ------------------------------------------ 2181 ----
NOTE. Knut Stenring differs from other authorities in his arrangement of the planets and days of the week in the following seven stanzas. Kircher has ...
(66) 8. NOTE. Knut Stenring differs from other authorities in his arrangement of the planets and days of the week in the following seven stanzas. Kircher has still a different order. Rev. Dr. Isidor Kalisch, Wm. Wynn Westcott, and The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East adopt the following arrangement.
Chapter 12: Of the Nativity and Proceeding forth or Descent of the Holy Angels, as also of their Government, Order, and Heavenly joyous Life. (34)
This is heavenly music, for here every one singeth according to the voice of his quality, and the prince leadeth the choir or chorus, as a chanter or...
(34) This is heavenly music, for here every one singeth according to the voice of his quality, and the prince leadeth the choir or chorus, as a chanter or singing-master with his scholars; and the king rejoiceth and jubilateth with his angels, to the honour of the great God, and to the increasing and multiplying of the heavenly joys, and that is in the heart of God as a holy sport or scene; and to that end also are they created for the joy and honour of God.
Texts Of Miscellaneous Contents, Utterances 607-609 (609)
1703 To say: N., thy mother Nut has given birth to thee in the West; 1703 thou hast descended in the West in company with the lord of veneration (?);...
(609) 1703 To say: N., thy mother Nut has given birth to thee in the West; 1703 thou hast descended in the West in company with the lord of veneration (?); 1703 thy mother Isis has given birth to thee at Chemmis; 1703 thy hand which is (full of) the north wind takes (Possession) of thee 1703 overflowing thee, behind the north wind, father N. 1704 The Lake of Reeds is full; the Winding Watercourse is inundated; 1704 the mn`-canal of N. is open, 1704 whereby he may ferry over to the horizon, to the place where the gods will be born, 1704 and where thou wilt be born with them. 1705 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for R`, 1705 that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon to the place where the gods will be born, 1705 and where he will be born with them. 1706 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for N., 1706 that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon to the place where they will be born, 1706 and where he will be born with them. 1707 Thy sister is Sothis; thy mother (bearer) is the morning star; 1707 thou sittest between them on the great throne, 1707 which is at the side of the Two Enneads. 1708 Behold, let these four dwellers of the region (or, height) be brought, 1708 who sit upon their d`b-sceptres, who come forth on (or, from) the eastern side of the sky, 1708 that they may proclaim this thy goodly utterance to Nb-k.w, 1708 which thy daughter, (m.t), said to thee, and 1708 Nb-k.w shall proclaim this thy goodly utterance 1708 to the Two Enneads. 1709 It is Hpnti, he who lays hold of thy hand when thou descendest into the boat of R`, 1709 descending into the boat with an offering which the king gives; descending and ferrying over. 45. THE DECEASED KING ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN
Well was I ware it was of lofty laud, Because there came to me, "Arise and conquer!" As unto him who hears and comprehends not. So much enamoured I be...
(6) So from the lights that there to me appeared Upgathered through the cross a melody, Which rapt me, not distinguishing the hymn. Well was I ware it was of lofty laud, Because there came to me, "Arise and conquer!" As unto him who hears and comprehends not. So much enamoured I became therewith, That until then there was not anything That e'er had fettered me with such sweet bonds. Perhaps my word appears somewhat too bold, Postponing the delight of those fair eyes, Into which gazing my desire has rest; But who bethinks him that the living seals Of every beauty grow in power ascending, And that I there had not turned round to those, Can me excuse, if I myself accuse To excuse myself, and see that I speak truly: For here the holy joy is not disclosed, Because ascending it becomes more pure.
Chapter 19: Concerning the Created Heaven, and the Form of the Earth, and of the Water, as also concerning Light and Darkness. Concerning Heaven. (100)
But seeing these words, evening and morning, are contrary to the current of philosophy and reason, therefore it may be conceived that Moses was not th...
(100) But seeing these words, evening and morning, are contrary to the current of philosophy and reason, therefore it may be conceived that Moses was not the sole original author thereof, but that it was derived down to him from his forefathers, who reckoned all the six days of the creation in one continued course, and preserved and kept the memory of the creation from Adam, in an obscure word, and so left it to posterity.
Soon as the blessed flame had taken up The final word to give it utterance, Began the holy millstone to revolve, And in its gyre had not turned...
(1) Soon as the blessed flame had taken up The final word to give it utterance, Began the holy millstone to revolve, And in its gyre had not turned wholly round, Before another in a ring enclosed it, And motion joined to motion, song to song; Song that as greatly doth transcend our Muses, Our Sirens, in those dulcet clarions, As primal splendour that which is reflected. And as are spanned athwart a tender cloud Two rainbows parallel and like in colour, When Juno to her handmaid gives command, (The one without born of the one within, Like to the speaking of that vagrant one Whom love consumed as doth the sun the vapours,) And make the people here, through covenant God set with Noah, presageful of the world That shall no more be covered with a flood, In such wise of those sempiternal roses The garlands twain encompassed us about, And thus the outer to the inner answered. After the dance, and other grand rejoicings, Both of the singing, and the flaming forth Effulgence with effulgence blithe and tender,
Who takes not wings that he may fly up thither, The tidings thence may from the dumb await! As soon as singing thus those burning suns Had round about...
(4) And of them was the singing of those lights. Who takes not wings that he may fly up thither, The tidings thence may from the dumb await! As soon as singing thus those burning suns Had round about us whirled themselves three times, Like unto stars neighbouring the steadfast poles, Ladies they seemed, not from the dance released, But who stop short, in silence listening Till they have gathered the new melody. And within one I heard beginning: "When The radiance of grace, by which is kindled True love, and which thereafter grows by loving, Within thee multiplied is so resplendent That it conducts thee upward by that stair, Where without reascending none descends, Who should deny the wine out of his vial Unto thy thirst, in liberty were not Except as water which descends not seaward. Fain wouldst thou know with what plants is enflowered This garland that encircles with delight The Lady fair who makes thee strong for heaven. Of the lambs was I of the holy flock Which Dominic conducteth by a road Where well one fattens if he strayeth not.
The chanting of the Psalms, being co-essential with almost all the Hierarchical mysteries, was not likely to be separated from the most Hierarchical...
(4) The chanting of the Psalms, being co-essential with almost all the Hierarchical mysteries, was not likely to be separated from the most Hierarchical of all. For every holy and inspired Scripture sets forth for those meet for deification, either the originated beginning and ordering of things from God; or the Hierarchy and polity of the Law; or the distributions and possessions of the inheritances of the people of God; or the understanding of sacred judges, or of wise kings, or of inspired Priests: or philosophy of men of old time, unshaken in endurances of the things let loose in variety and multitude; or the treasures of wisdom for the conduct of life; or songs and inspired pictures of Divine Loves; or the declaratory predictions of things to come; or the Theandric works of Jesus; or the God-transmitted and God-imitating polities and holy teachings of His Disciples, or the hidden and mystic gaze of the beloved and divinely sweet of the disciples, or the supermundane theology of Jesus; and implanted them in the holy and Godlike instructions of the mystic rites. Now the sacred description of the Divine Odes, whose purpose is to sing the words and works of God throughout, and to praise the holy words and works of godly men, forms an universal Ode and narrative of things Divine, and makes, in those who inspiredly recite it, a habit suitable for the reception and distribution of every Hierarchical mystery.
When he who all the world illuminates Out of our hemisphere so far descends That on all sides the daylight is consumed, The heaven, that erst by him...
(1) When he who all the world illuminates Out of our hemisphere so far descends That on all sides the daylight is consumed, The heaven, that erst by him alone was kindled, Doth suddenly reveal itself again By many lights, wherein is one resplendent. And came into my mind this act of heaven, When the ensign of the world and of its leaders Had silent in the blessed beak become; Because those living luminaries all, By far more luminous, did songs begin Lapsing and falling from my memory. O gentle Love, that with a smile dost cloak thee, How ardent in those sparks didst thou appear, That had the breath alone of holy thoughts! After the precious and pellucid crystals, With which begemmed the sixth light I beheld, Silence imposed on the angelic bells, I seemed to hear the murmuring of a river That clear descendeth down from rock to rock, Showing the affluence of its mountain-top. And as the sound upon the cithern's neck Taketh its form, and as upon the vent Of rustic pipe the wind that enters it,
Thou'lt see me come unto thy darling tree, And crown myself thereafter with those leaves Of which the theme and thou shall make me worthy. So seldom,...
(2) Thou'lt see me come unto thy darling tree, And crown myself thereafter with those leaves Of which the theme and thou shall make me worthy. So seldom, Father, do we gather them For triumph or of Caesar or of Poet, (The fault and shame of human inclinations,) That the Peneian foliage should bring forth Joy to the joyous Delphic deity, When any one it makes to thirst for it. A little spark is followed by great flame; Perchance with better voices after me Shall prayer be made that Cyrrha may respond! To mortal men by passages diverse Uprises the world's lamp; but by that one Which circles four uniteth with three crosses, With better course and with a better star Conjoined it issues, and the mundane wax Tempers and stamps more after its own fashion. Almost that passage had made morning there And evening here, and there was wholly white That hemisphere, and black the other part, When Beatrice towards the left-hand side I saw turned round, and gazing at the sun; Never did eagle fasten so upon it!
Singing like unto an enamoured lady She, with the ending of her words, continued: "Beati quorum tecta sunt peccata." And even as Nymphs, that...
(1) Singing like unto an enamoured lady She, with the ending of her words, continued: "Beati quorum tecta sunt peccata." And even as Nymphs, that wandered all alone Among the sylvan shadows, sedulous One to avoid and one to see the sun, She then against the stream moved onward, going Along the bank, and I abreast of her, Her little steps with little steps attending. Between her steps and mine were not a hundred, When equally the margins gave a turn, In such a way, that to the East I faced. Nor even thus our way continued far Before the lady wholly turned herself Unto me, saying, "Brother, look and listen!" And lo! a sudden lustre ran across On every side athwart the spacious forest, Such that it made me doubt if it were lightning. But since the lightning ceases as it comes, And that continuing brightened more and more, Within my thought I said, "What thing is this?" And a delicious melody there ran Along the luminous air, whence holy zeal Made me rebuke the hardihood of Eve;